Primary and supplementary anesthetic efficacy of a modified two-step buccal infiltration of 4% articaine in mandibular molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis: a randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: To evaluate a modified two-step buccal infiltration (MBI) of 1.7 mL 4% articaine as primary or supplemental anesthesia in mandibular first and second molars diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP).

Materials And Methods: One hundred and eight patients with SIP were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 36).

Maxillary Lateral Incisor Injection Pain Using the Dentapen Electronic Syringe.

Introduction: When patients express fear and anxiety about dentistry, 1 main source involves the administration of local anesthetic. The Dentapen (Septodont, Lancaster, PA) is a computer-controlled local anesthetic device that regulates the rate of anesthetic deposition to reduce pain associated with dental injections. The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in perceived pain during the administration of local anesthesia of the maxillary lateral incisors using the ramp-up and continuous injection modes of the Dentapen.

Preoperative oral use of Ibuprofen or dexamethasone may improve the anesthetic efficacy of an inferior alveolar nerve block in patients diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis.

Article Title And Bibliographic Information: Effect of premedication with ibuprofen and dexamethasone on success rate of inferior alveolar nerve block for teeth with asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis: a randomized clinical trial. Shahi S, Moktari H, Rahimi S, Yavari HR, Narimani S, Abdolrahmi M, Nezafati S. J Endod 2013;39(2):160-2.

Local anesthesia strategies for the patient with a "hot" tooth.

Attaining local anesthesia for the treatment of teeth diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis ("hot" tooth) can be a challenge. This article looks at the strategies a dentist can use to help achieve adequate pulpal anesthesia for the patient, thereby eliminating or reducing treatment pain.

Micro-XRD and temperature-modulated DSC investigation of nickel-titanium rotary endodontic instruments.

Objectives: Employ Micro-X-ray diffraction and temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry to investigate microstructural phases, phase transformations, and effects of heat treatment for rotary nickel-titanium instruments.

Methods: Representative as-received and clinically used ProFile GT and ProTaper instruments were principally studied. Micro-XRD analyses (Cu Kalpha X-rays) were performed at 25 degrees C on areas of approximately 50 microm diameter near the tip and up to 9 mm from the tip.

Vickers hardness investigation of work-hardening in used NiTi rotary instruments.

A contributing mechanism for clinical failure of NiTi rotary instruments might be excessive work hardening. Vickers hardness was measured with 300 gm load near the flutes in three regions (D2-D4, D6-D10, and D14 towards the shank) for nine representative clinically used ProFile GT instruments that had been axially sectioned (10 measurements in each region). Consistent values could not be obtained at D1.

SEM observations of nickel-titanium rotary endodontic instruments that fractured during clinical Use.

Numerous discarded ProFile GT, ProFile, and ProTaper nickel-titanium rotary instruments obtained from two graduate endodontic clinics were examined by scanning electron microscopy. These instruments had an unknown history of clinical use and had fractured or experienced considerable permanent torsional deformation without complete separation. The failure processes generally exhibited substantial ductile character, evidenced by a dimpled rupture fracture surface.

Proposed role of embedded dentin chips for the clinical failure of nickel-titanium rotary instruments.

Discarded ProFile and ProTaper nickel-titanium rotary instruments, with unknown history of clinical use, were obtained from graduate endodontic clinics at Ohio State University and University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Dental Branch. These discarded instruments and as-received instruments of both types were examined with a scanning electron microscope to investigate effects of clinical use and causes of failure. For used ProTaper instruments, dentinal debris was wedged mostly in narrow, radial, land-type regions and less on convex flute surfaces.

Effectiveness of 20% benzocaine as a topical anesthetic for intraoral injections.

The use of topical anesthetics has been advocated prior to the administration of various types of anesthetic injections. Reported results have varied between studies. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of 20% benzocaine in reducing the pain of needle insertion during maxillary posterior and anterior infiltration and inferior alveolar nerve block injections.

Comparison of preoperative pain and medication use in emergency patients presenting with irreversible pulpitis or teeth with necrotic pulps.

Objective: This retrospective study compared differences in preoperative pain and medication use in patients with moderate to severe pain who sought emergency endodontic care for teeth with irreversible pulpitis and for symptomatic teeth with necrotic pulps.

Study Design: A total of 323 patients seeking emergency endodontic treatment completed questionnaires regarding their biographical information, pain, pain history, and medications. Teeth were tested for vitality, mobility, percussion, and palpation pain.

Effect of drainage upon access on postoperative endodontic pain and swelling in symptomatic necrotic teeth.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the effect of drainage upon access on postoperative endodontic pain and swelling in symptomatic necrotic teeth. One hundred twenty-four emergency patients participated and each had a clinical diagnosis of a symptomatic necrotic tooth with an associated periapical radiolucency. The occurrence of drainage upon access was timed and recorded.